When I was in high school, my friends and I had a phase when we would run down to the local bakery after school and get a treat. That's where I discovered that rum balls were a thing. These babies were gigantic spheres of chocolatey goodness that had kind of a slightly chewy, cakey-cookie dough ganache center and smacked of rum. They were not the chocolate kisses I'd grown up with. My food world opened up a notch. I was smitten. I had to take each one home in a box so that I could slowly savor every bite. Pure bliss. Yeah, maybe the bakery should have thought to card me. Even though the rum ball I'd bring home was about the size of a golf ball, I don't think there was that much rum in there. But probably a good thing I waited until I was home to eat it.

Not quite Schweddy Balls. Though I'd be happy to go on NPR to discuss them.

VEGAN | WFPB | OIL-FREE | GLUTEN-FREE | EASY | NO-BAKE | HOLIDAY

A Holiday Tradition

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls have been a holiday tradition in my family for over two decades. Way back when, my mother got the recipe from our neighbor, Kitty, and the whole family has been enjoying them ever since. There have been a few years here and there when I haven't made a single holiday goodie, times when I haven't been able to organize or participate in a cookie-making party, dessert exchange, or make cookie plates for the neighbors - and yet I still manage to make Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter Balls. Why are they the only ones that get made? Well, they're pretty easy and fun to make. That, and they're a crowd-pleaser. I don't think I've ever seen anybody eat just one. They're that wonderful combination of peanut butter and chocolate, plus a bit more: pecans or walnuts and dates.

VEGAN | WFPB | OIL-FREE | GLUTEN-FREE| ONE DISH MEAL | HOLIDAY

Just because some of us who would prefer to hug a turkey (well, that might be tricky - blow it a kiss?) rather than eat one doesn't mean we don't want to experience those Thanksgiving-y flavors so familiar to the holiday. You know, the ingredients that make a home smell like Thanksgiving. And maybe we'd like some mashed potatoes, but the version available is full of butter and cream and we are lactose intolerant. Well, bring this savory pie and you have your Thanksgiving bases covered - for you and the other herbivores at the table. That's right, all in one dish. One glorious, five-layered dish.

VEGAN | WFPB | OIL-FREE | GLUTEN-FREE | EASY | HOLIDAY

UNITED AT THE TABLE

OK, wow. If there's ever been a time for too much to talk about around the Thanksgiving table, it might be now. My hope is that we all have the strength to sit around that table with an attempt at understanding, peace, and love. Wouldn't that be a gift to those gathered? We can love our family and want good things for them, even when we don't agree. Even when it's really difficult. I believe tables are a place to gather, to be heard, and to listen. Not so great when we forget the hard part: listen. When we look around that table, let's bring the power of our own truth and give room for everyone else to bring theirs. To unpack it a little if they want to and be heard, and then be honest and kind with our response. Let's accept what's real and strive for better. We all deserve to have our voices heard, to be safe, to make our own decisions, to have the freedom to change our minds. Let's be thankful there's a table to gather at and be conscious of when our decisions affect others. Let's keep it positive, kind and real, people. So we can eeeaaat. And many other reasons.